Question

Which of the following statements regarding genotypes and phenotypes is false?

a. the genetic makeup of an organism constitutes its genotype.
b. an organism with two different alleles for a single trait is said to be homozygous for that trait.
c. alleles are alternate forms of a gene.
d. the expressed physical traits of an organism are called its phenotype.
e. the genotype determines, at least in part, the phenotype.

Answer 1

The false statement among the options provided is option B, which incorrectly claims that an organism with two different alleles for a trait is homozygous; the correct term is heterozygous. Option B is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to genotypes and phenotypes and which statement provided is false. Out of the options given, option B is false. It states that an organism with two different alleles for a single trait is said to be homozygous for that trait. In fact, an organism with two different alleles for a single trait is said to be heterozygous, not homozygous.

Option A is true as the genetic makeup of an organism does indeed constitute its genotype. Option C is true because alleles are alternative forms of a gene. Option D is correct, stating that the expressed physical traits of an organism are called its phenotype. Finally, option E is true, as the genotype does determine, at least in part, the phenotype of an organism.